Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• Is an Inmon-modeled BI system, like Madison, the future of data warehousing?

  Learn the future of data warehousing, read an expert's take on Microsoft Madison, read about data warehousing concepts and methodologies and find a comparison of the core relational and dimensional data warehouse.  Continue Reading

• What are the top database management systems (DBMS)?

  Learn about the top best database management systems and most commonly used database management software are in this tip from a data warehousing and DBMS expert.  Continue Reading

• What is the role of DBMS in RDBMS?

  Find out about the definition of RDBMS, learn about role of DBMS in RDBMS and find out the difference between the database management system and a relational database management system in this tip.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits and disadvantages of a RDBMS?

  Find out about the benefits and disadvantages of RDBMS are and get examples of when relational database management systems are the best database system tools to use in this tip.  Continue Reading

• How to estimate SOA costs and design an SOA strategy for integration projects

  Before getting started with a service oriented architecture (SOA) integration project, it's important to estimate SOA costs and design an SEO strategy. Learn how in this tip.  Continue Reading

• What are some SOA risks and challenges and how can we mitigate risks?

  Learn about SOA risks and challenges common when transitioning to a service-oriented architecture (SOA). Take steps to reduce risks with these SOA initiative best practices.  Continue Reading

• Tips for evaluating top database management systems and choosing a small DBMS

  There are three major players in the DBMS market: Oracle, DB2 and SQL Server. Learn how to evaluate these top database management systems and choose a DBMS for a small business in this tip from Mark Whitehorn.  Continue Reading

• Are there benefits to using both Teradata and a DB2 database?

  Many companies use DB2 to run an operational database and use Teradata for analysis. Find out why this is an effective approach and why it makes sense to use both Teradata and DB2 databases in this expert Q/A with Mark Whitehorn.  Continue Reading

• What is the main use of a DBMS and what is the main use of a data warehouse?

  There are distinct functions for a database management system (DBMS) and a data warehouse. Learn how to use a DMBS and how to use a data warehouse to manage data in your organization.  Continue Reading

• Defining dimensional vs. normalized database design, dimension vs. fact tables

  Find out if your existing database is in dimensional style or normalized database design style, learn the benefits and drawbacks of fact-dimension and normalized database schemas and read a comparison of dimension tables vs. fact tables.  Continue Reading

• What are the most common system implementation mistakes?

  Learn about some of the biggest mistakes in system implementation and why successful implementations are few and far between. Find out how to avoid these pitfalls with careful planning and more tips from our project management expert.  Continue Reading

• Do MDM rules come preconfigured in MDM products, or can we add them?

  How do MDM rules get embedded? Find out about MDM products that have preconfigured business and data quality rules and how an MDM administrator can add master data rules in this Q/A.  Continue Reading

• What level of data accuracy standards do we need for master data?

  Find out how to establish data accuracy standards and discover what level of accuracy is necessary for your organization, depending on your business and data requirements.  Continue Reading

• What are the advantages/disadvantages of database abstraction layers?

  Discover the advantages and disadvantages of using database abstraction layers, as opposed to database-specific coding, and learn why abstraction layers offer maximum flexibility.  Continue Reading

• Tips for the MDM evaluation process and vendor selection

  Discover tips for the MDM evaluation process, including how to evaluate data warehouse vendors vs. more general-purpose MDM vendors, in this Q/A.  Continue Reading